Isaiah 42

Isaiah 42:1-7

This chapter contains an eminent prophecy of the delights. We have here, 1. His coming to do the work of a Redeemer, ver. 1-4. 2. His commission opened, ver. 5-9. 3. The joy with which Vol. II.

the good tidings of this should be received, ver. 10, 11, 12. 4. The success of the gospel, and the overthrow of the devil’s kingdom, ver. 13-15. 5. The rejection and ruin of the Jesus for their unbelief, ver. 18-25.

1. BEHOLD my servant whom I uphold, mine I elect: in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my spirit upon him, he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. 2. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. 3. A bruised reed shall be not break: and the symbolizing flax shall be not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. 4. He shall not fail, nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the idles shall wait for his law.

That these words belong to Christ we are assured, Mat. xli. 15-21. We have,

1. His designation to his office, and qualification for it. Behold: with wonder and love, my servant, though equal with the Father as touching his godhead, yet humbling himself to the form of a servant, for us men and our salvation: whom I uphold, for as man, Christ received power and strength from the Father, to enable him to accomplish the arduous work of redemption; or as whom I love, expedite of the confidence God reported in him, to fulfill the work appointed him, as much to his glory as his people’s good; mine elect, chords and designed for the work from the foundation of the world, in whom my soul delighteth, his righteousness, sufferings, sacrifice, and all that he did, being always highly pleasing to his Father; I have put my spirit upon him, fully qualifying and enabling him for the execution of all he hath undertaken. Note, (1.) The highest honour is to be an elect servant of God. (2.) There never was but one under the sun in whom, for his own sake, God could lay my soul delighteth. (3.) If God bids us minister, he will supply the ability.

2. His exercise of his office. He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles, the gospel, which is to let the sake and guide us all his converted people: He shall put cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street, as coming with human pomp and grandeur, for his kingdom was not of this world. A bruised reed shall be not break, to render are his companions toward the weak and tempted, who are call down under their trials, but supported and strengthened by him, that they may not utterly faint; and the stealing flax shall be not quench, where the smallest gracious appearances are seen, he will not despise, but cherish them, and fast the smoking flax into a flame: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth, accompanying the word of his truth with such effectual power, as to accomplish the thing whereunto he sends it. He shall not fail, nor be discouraged against the arduous work in which he shall be engaged, till he have set judgment in the earth, established his glorious gospel, which is to productive of judgment and righteousness among men, and the idles shall wait for his law; the distant nations of Gentiles offering themselves willing scholars as the feet of his ministers. The supper-gent, from whence the passage is opened, Mat. xli. 10. Acts xxviii. 25. renders it, And in his name shall the Gentiles tryst.

3. ¶ Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth and that which cometh out of it, he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6. I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7. To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison-house. 8. I am the LORD, that is my name, and my glory will not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 9. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. 10. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth: ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the idles and the inhabitants thereof. 11. Let the wilderness, and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that چکی doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.

This gracious prophecy in its primary fense probably respects the recovery of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon, but most eminently refers to the gospel days, when the church should, amidst all perfections, rise great and glorious, and be incensed with converts on every side.

1. God encourages them, from the most endearing views of his regard for them, and relation to them. But now, they faith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, created thee anew in Christ Jesus, and he that formed thee, O Israel, the peculiar work of his hands, fear not under any trials or discouragements; for I have redeemed thee by the blood and righteousness of Jesus; I have called thee by thy name, every faithful soul being written in the book of life of the Lamb; thou art mine, in a covenant of everlasting love which cannot be broken, mine for ever.

2. He assures them of his constant support under every trial, v. 2. However threatening, violent, or severe their sufferings, his pretence and power should both strengthen, comfort, and deliver them, so that they should receive not the least hurt or damage. Nor, If God be for us, and with us, then in the midst of danger we are safe; and even in the jaws of death can triumph.

3. He mentions the former instances of his care as the earnest of his present salvation of them. He calls himself, v. 3. their God, in a covenant that is everlasting, their Saviour from every foe. As of old he had destroyed Egypt for their sake, and overthrown the Ethiopians, a Chrus. xiv. 9, 13. or turned the arms of Sennacherib upon them instead of Jerusalem, such should be still his regard towards them, their enemies shall be all destroyed, because they were precious in his sight, through that Saviour in whom they were accepted, and honoured with the highest titles, the fons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, and as such beloved by him with affection unchangeable and everlasting, v. 4.

4. He promises a great increase of converts under the preaching of the gospel. They need not fear, however diminished or brought low, for God is with them; and at his word, from the four quarters of the earth converts shall flock into his church, as doves to their windows, v. 5, 6. even as many as, being chosen in the divine purpose, are called by his grace, renewed by his spirit, and prepared to shew forth his praise in all holy conversation and godliness, v. 7. This may be applied particularly to the collecting the Jews from their captivity, but seems more gloriously fulfilled in the conversion of the Gentiles, by the preaching of the gospel. Note, (1.) Every one called by Christ’s name, is bound to set forth his glory. (2.) The

work of regeneration is God’s own; we are the clay, he is the potter; if we are vessels of honour, it is because his sovereign and saving grace hath made us such. (3.) They who by divine grace are gathered in to Jesus now as their Saviour, shall be shortly raised from the dust of death, caught up to meet him in the air, and so shall be ever with the Lord.

8. ¶ Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. 9. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear and say, It is truth. 10. ¶ Ye are my witnesses, faith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11. ¶ Even I am the LORD, and before me there is no God in favour. 12. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, faith the LORD, that I am God. 13. ¶ Yea, before the day was, I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall it let it?

Isaiah 42:5-12

God having offered in the glorious perishings appointed by him for the work of his people’s salvation, here encourages and authorizes him to proceed in his undertaking.

1. He gives him his orders, as the Almighty Creator of all, able abundantly to support him in the exercise of his office, v. 5. He calls him in righteousness, in a way wherein the divine

perfections were eminently to be magnified; or with righteousness, being himself a righteous person, and in his nature and practice knew no sin; he promises to uphold and keep him, that no difficulties may discourage, nor enemies prevail against him; to give him for a covenant of the people, to be their great covenant head; by him all the terms of the covenant being fulfilled, and through him all the blessings of it are to be freely received: two of the most eminent of which are mentioned, (1.) He is given for a light to the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes, both to be the light of the world which lay in darkness and the shadow of death, and also to bestow power on the fallen mind of man to fire this light of life, without which it flirteth in darkness. Note, The mind of man, yea, of the world, continues in utter darkness respecting spiritual things, without divine illumination. (2.) He is sent to bring the proponent from the prison, and then that he in darkness out of the prison-house; we are by nature the slaves of sin and Satan, and though we may have light enough to see and deplore our misery, we have no power to help ourselves, till the Lord Jesus interposes to break our hands, and bring us forth into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

2. He confirms his commission by his great name, Jehovah, v. 8. who, in this investiture of the Redeemer, intends to exalt his own glory, and will not suffer idols to be his rivals; but will complacably punish those who afcribe to them the praise due to him alone. And as he has fulfilled his former promises, so will he also accomplish the new things he now declares, relative to the deliverance of the Jews under Cyrus, the incarnation of the Messiah, and the success of his gospel; which, before they bring forth into act from the divine decree, he foretells, and shall be as freely fulfilled in their season, as any path prophecies had been. Note, God hath still now mercies in store; if we have faith to trust him, he will not, cannot fail us.

3. The whole church is called upon to exalt God’s praise for the redemption of Jesus. From the ends of the earth, to which the gospel should be spread, the grateful song must arise; those who go down to the sea, the Tyrians and Phanasians, and other maritime places, the Arabians, and the most savage inhabitants of the desert and the rock, civilized by the preaching of the gospel, must join in the work of praise, till the found should be universal, and the knowledge of the glory of God be washed to the most distant sins of the sea. This was in a measure the case under the ministry of the apostles, and we expect a still more glorious day, when praises for redeeming love shall be long from pole to pole.

4. The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry; ‘yea, rore; he shall prevail against his enemies. 14. I have long time holden my peace, I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a crusading woman, I will destroy and devour at once. 15. I will make wafer mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs, and I will make the rivers stands, and I will dry up the pools. 16. And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not, I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. Their things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. 17. ¶ They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed that truth in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

Isaiah 42:8-13

The worshippers of idols are called to appear and confront God’s witnesses, if they dared maintain their wretched cause. God calls them the blind who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears, because though they have the fashion of men, by such abominable idolatries they seem to have lost their reason and faculties. They cannot prove the divinity of their idols to justify their worship; they are the work of men’s hand, and blunder and more impotent than their foolish votaries, v. 8-10. But let God’s witnesses appear, his Israel, and his servant, either the prophet Isaiah, or rather the Messiah, emphatically so called, chap. xlii. 1. to prove his unyielded godhood and glory; he alone was from eternity; the sole exultant, self-existent God and Saviour; and besides him, there neither is nor can be any other. In proof of which, two arguments are urged, drawn from his preference and his power. (1.) He hath declared things to come; his people’s deliverance of old from Egypt, when as yet no strange God was among them, and now from Babylon, with numberless other things concerning the coming of the Messiah and his church; and surely none of the idols can pretend to such fore-knowledge. (2.) He hath saved his people; from his hand, none can deliver; and when he works, none can let; whilst all the idols of the heathen are unprofitable and vain; unable in the least to assist or protect their worshippers. This they should observe to their convictions, and say, it is truth, acknowledging the folly of trusting to other gods, and giving the Lord alone the glory due unto his name.

14. ¶ Thus faith the LORD your Redeemer, the holy One of Israel, For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships. 15. I am the LORD, your holy One, the creator of Israel, your king. 16. Thus faith the LORD, which maketh away in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters: 17. Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army, and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow. 18. ¶ Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 19. Behold, I will do a new thing: now it shall spring forth, shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. 20. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the gods: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. 21. This people have formed for myself, they shall shew forth my praise.

Isaiah 42:9-15

5. John. 1. 7. On, the pals of my right hand and spread out. “Pf. xlii. 4. Chap. xl. 6.8. “Chap. xlii. at. & cliv. p. & cliv. p. & cliv. p. Chap. xlii. 1. &c.

6. ¶ “For my name’s sake” will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. 10. Behold, I have refused thee, but if not with River; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. 11. “For mine own sake, roes for mine own sake will I do it; for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another. 12. I fearless unto me, O Jacob, and Israel my called, I am he, ‘I am the first, I also am the last. 13. ‘Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and I my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them they stand up together. 14. All ye assemble yourselves and hear: ‘which among them hath declared these things?’ the LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans. 15. I, roes I have spoken, yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.

Their guilt was a circumstance very discouraging; how could they hope for God’s interposition? and their oppression were to powerful that no prospect of human relief appeared. To support them therefore against their just fears,

1. God, not out of respect to them, but for his own glory, declares he will deliver them: though they deserved to be utterly cut off, he will defer his anger; and lead the heathen nations might reproach him, as if he was unable to fare his people, or count their gods above him: he will refrain his arm from destroying them, and save them from their enemies, v. 9, 11. Behold, and admire the grace, I have refused thee; by these sufferings to which they had been exposed; but not with River, or among River; have not kept them in the furnace till all their deeds was purged away, for them the spirit must fail before him, if he dealt with them in Brief justice; but I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction; he made the afflictions they endured the means of calling them home to himself, and by their trials exercised and brightened their graces, and purified their souls from sin. Note, (1.) If God dealt with us according to our iniquities, then could no flesh living be saved. (2.) It is not for our deserts, but to manifest the glory of his grace, that God is pleased to spare and pardon. (3.) Affliction is often the blessed means of bringing those home to God who had before wandered far from the right way. (4.) It is a gracious sign of God’s paternal affection towards us, when he is pleased in measure to correct us, and not to leave us wholly unpunished.

2. Though they could not help themselves, God will still up a deliverer for them, who shall overthrow the kingdom of Babylon. Let Jacob hear the Divine determination, and Israel, called of God and chosen, believe what he speaks, who is the self-existent, eternal, and immutable Jehovah, v. 12. He whose hand laid the foundations of the earth, and stretched out the heavens with such ease as if they had been but a span’s breadth, at whose word the assembled hosts of both stand up, ready to execute his high benefits; he is able to accomplish their salvation, v. 13. Let Israel therefore attend to the prophetic world, of whose home among the gods of the heathen, or the wise men, could ever inform them. Cyrus, the beloved of the Lord, is appointed for their deliverer, to execute God’s

pleasure on Babylon, and to lay his arm of vengeance on the Chaldeans, v. 14. God hath spoken, and his word is irreversible; he will enable him for the work, living him to the siege from a far country, and make his way prosperous, giving him victory in the battle, and forces in all his enterprises, v. 15. Note, (1.) Cyrus is the type of God’s beloved Son, sent down from heaven, and rising on prosperously; the conqueror of death, hell, and sin, and the Redeemer of his Israel. (2.) We may safely depend on the fulfillment of God’s promises, however to human view the difficulties in the way of their accomplishment seem insurmountable. Is any thing too hard for God? (3.) They who have a Divine call, and are under Divine guidance, may be sure their way shall be prosperous.

16. ¶ Come ye near unto me, hear ye this, ‘I have not spoken in secret from the beginning, from the time that it was, there am I: and now ’the LORD God and his Spirit hath sent me. 17. Then saith ’the LORD thy redeemer, the holy One of Israel, I am the LORD thy God which teaches thee to profit, which leadseth thee by the way that thou shouldst go. 18. ‘O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! ’then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea; 19. Thy bed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels, like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off, nor destroyed from before me. v. ¶ ‘Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, ‘with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it roes to the end of the earth: say ye, ‘The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob. 21. And ’they thirled not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: ‘he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out. 22. ‘There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

Isaiah 42:13-17

We have here,

1. The victory the Lord will obtain over his enemies. As a man of war he will rush upon them with a cry, and prevail, his gospel being made effectual to the casting down all the strong holds of darkness, v. 13. For a long while he seemed to pay no regard to the heathen world, winking at the times of their ignorance, but now when he sends his elect minister Jesus, he will destroy and devour at once; they who submit not to the calls of his mercy, must perish under the rod of his judgments, v. 14. The greatest, high as mountains, are not too mighty to escape; nor the least, though mean as the grass, too small to be overlooked: and every impediment shall be removed, as at the passage of Israel through the Red sea, that his word may have free course, and run, and be glorified, v. 15. Note, When God will work, none can let it.

2. He will bring home his people to himself. I will bring the blind, those that were spiritually ignorant of the ways of God, by a way that they knew not, even Christ the living way, hid from ages and generations, but none revealed to the Gentiles; I will lead them in paths that they have not known, the path of holiness and life eternal; I will make darkness light before them, shining on their path, and making it plain before their faces; and crooked things straight, removing all obstructions, and forming their once crooked and perverse ways by his divine grace, conformably to his holy mind and word. Their things

will I do unto them, and not forsake them, but to eternity perfect in them the salvation here began. And blessed truly are they to whom the Lord is pleased to shew such continuing and effectual grace.

3. The idolaters being converted, shall now be made ashamed of their idols; or those who perished in their worship be confounded to find how little they can profit them in a day of wrath, v. 17.

4. Hear, ye deaf, and look, ye blind, that ye may see. 19. Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I fear? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’s servant? 20. Seeing many things, but thou observest not: opening the ears, but he heareth not. 21. The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness sake, he will magnify the law, and make it honourable. 22. But this is a people robbed and spoiled, they are all of them feared in holes, and they are hid in prison-house; they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none faith, Restore. 23. Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken, and hear for the time to come? 24. Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the others? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law. 25. Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.

Isaiah 42:14-21

Great was the deliverance from Egypt, great the recovery from Babylon, but greater far the recovery of old souls by Jesus Christ, whose redemption is here spoken of.

1. For the encouragement of his people, God calls himself their Redeemer, the holy One of Israel, their Creator, their King. For though they seemed now cast off, their state dissolved, and their kingdom destroyed, yet God called the things that are not, as though they were, because he only speaks, and it is done.

2. He tells them what he intended to do for their sakes, which he speaks of as already accomplished; even to destroy the Babylonians, when by in vain to their ships to escape; or, bound captives by the Messes and Persians, with bitter cries were transported

born Chick ported far away, v. 14. Some translate it, brought down all their tables, brought forth all the fugitives, as spoken of the Jews, who would be brought forth from the house of their person, when their proud oppressors were broken

3. He reminds them of what he had done for them, when, at the Red Sea, the chariots and hoops of Pharoah were entirely overthrown, and such would be the case of their present enemies; and as then he opened a path in the Red Sea for their passage, so would he, amidst all difficulties, bring them safe once more to their own land, v. 17. Note, In our deepest affliction we should remember God’s wonders of old time, and wait in faith for his salvation.

4. Yet greater things than these would be do for them: such miracles of grace as would, as it were, obliterate the remembrance of all that was past. Behold, I will do a new thing, which would allow the sun of the sun, even the incarnation of Jesus Christ; now it shall spring forth as a branch in a short time, shall be not known, and thankfully receive this great Redeemer! In consequence of whose appearing, a wondrous change will be wrought in the world; the Gentile nations, before like a wilderness, impassable, uncultivated and barren, shall be laid upon for the gospel, and become fruitful like a well-watered land, v. 19. Men, whose tempers before were savage as the beasts, fierce as dragons, and stupid as the owls, shall be renewed and turned to the worship and service of the true God, and in this once defiance world of heathenism, there shall be a plentiful effusion of gospel-grace, like the waters of a river, v. 20. and God will own the Gentile converts as his chores, formed by his Spirit for his glory, and designed to shew forth his praise to all eternity. Note, (1.) Man does not naturally differ more from the health, than man does from man, when divine grace hath changed his heart. (2.) Wherever the gospel comes, powerful and blessed are its effects: the wilderness then becomes a fruitful field. (3.) All that is good in the hearts of men, is God’s own work, and designed for his own glory. (4.) It must be our labour, study, and prayer to correspond with the divine intentions, and to shew forth his praise who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light.

1 Mal. 1. 15. 2 Amos v. 3. 4 Hah. Lords, or Jade. b Chap. 1.

21. 6. But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob, but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. 23. Thou hast not brought me the + small cattle of thy burnt-offerings, neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. 24. Thou hast brought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the far of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with these iniquities. 25. I, now I am he that blotted out thy transgressions for mine own like, and will not remember thy sins. 26. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayst be justified. 27. Thy first father hath finned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me. 28. Therefore I have profaned the 3 princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.

22. 21—28. The unworthiness of the sinner the more oxian and diagnoses the glory and grace of the Saviour. We have here,

23. A heavy charge brought against Israel. They had neglected prayer and the worship of God; yes, had counted his service wearisome, and wanted to be rid of it, v. 22. Though dwelling in a land of plenty, they grudged the expence of God’s temple, with-held their burnt-offerings and sacrifices, and prepared no sweet cane for the holy anointing oil and the sweet incense. Yet God had not carried them to serve with an offering, nor wearied them with energy, did not crash from them difficult or burdensome services: the idolaters paid much greater honours, and offered more expensive sacrifices to their false gods, than they were required to offer to the living Jehovah: whereas they not only neglected his worship, but openly violated his laws; till weary with their iniquities, nothing seemed to await them but just and condign punishment, v. 24.

24. A wondrous promise comes in. When we might have expected to hear, I, even I am he that blotted out their name from under heaven, God, in mercy transcendently glorious, declares, I, now I am he that blotted out thy ownings, for mine own jobs, and will not remember thy sins. Note, (1.) Forgiveness of sin is the great glory of the gospel; of all sin; and the which need not despair. (2.) When God forgives, he forgets; and though we are ever bound to remember and abhorourselves, God will never remember our sins, to upheard or confound us. (3.) It is an act of sovereign grace in God to forgive sin; the least sin is in its nature deadly, and nothing we can do could ever save us from eternal ruin, unless his rich mercy interposed to pardon us.

25. God commands his people to put him in remembrance, and plead his promises with him, that they may be justified, v. 26.

Though some-understand this or a request to the fair-rightness, challenging them to produce the good works on which they depend for justification; the variety of which would be manifested, and they reduced to seek the free pardon offered, or perish in their pride.

4. He reminds them that all their sufferings proceeded from their sins; to repent of which, his gracious promises were the greatest encouragement. They first father hath sinned, Adam; or rather their more immediate sacrifices, and thy teachers have transgressed against me; they who should have directed others, erred themselves, and led their brethren siftors. In consequence of which, God had afflicted them, or would; for it seems spoken of their captivity in Babylon, or their last visitation by the Romans. Therefore I have profound the persons of the sanctuary, the Priests and Levites, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches, under which they shall lie, monuments of God’s righteous judgments, till the Spirit shall be poured on them from on high; and at last they shall return to him, from whom they have so greatly departed, and find that pardon and grace in Jesus which they have despised.

Isaiah 42:16-22

We have here,

1. The call of God to attend the ministry of the prophet, or rather the call of Christ, who seems to be spoken of, to the Jews to hear and receive his gospel, and acknowledge his Divine mission. I have not spoken in secret from the beginning, but preached publicly in the synagogues, from the time that it was, from the beginning of his ministry, there am I, openly meeting the gospel of the kingdom; or, before the time that it was, ere he was become incarnate, there was I, existing from eternity in the bosom of the Father; and unto the Lord and his Spirit hath sent me, or the Lord hath sent me, having the fullest commission for the execution of the work of redemption, and his Spirit to make that work effectual, by bringing it near to the souls of men. Note, (1.) We have here the Trinity of persons in the Godhead clearly asserted. (2.) When God tends he will qualify us for his service. (3.) It becomes us to hear with solemn reverence and attention the words of him whom God hath sent.

2. The Lord Jesus informs them of his character and design. I am the Lord thy God, without which, he could not have been the Redeemer of his Israel, nor could they have been able comfortably and confidently to truth their souls in his hands, which teacheth thee to profit, or practically things; the doctrines of truth and holiness, such as their fallen state, their guilt and danger, the grace revealed for sinners in the gospel, the perfection of atonement and righteousness weighed out by him, and the fulness of the Spirit which resided in him, to be communicated to his people; which leadseth thee by the way which thou shouldst go; Christ himself is the living way, his word is our guide, his grace our support, and all the dispensations of his providence concur to lead his redeemed towards their glorious rest.

3. He laments over those poor souls that finned against their own mercies, Mat. xxiii. 37. O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! which though some did, yet we see the generality of the Jewish people rejected Christ and his gospel, and thereby forfeited all the mercies which had been promised to the obedient, and brought their final defoliations upon them. Had they heard and believed, then their peace had been as a river, and their righteousness as the waves of the sea, abundant and permanent, v. 18. Their nation would have been increased exceedingly, and their stability secured for ever; but now, for their unbelief and impenitence, the very revoile is their case. Note, (1.) Sin robs us of all our joys. (2.) The remembrance of the mercies they have forfeited, as well as the torment they endure, will aggravate the miseries of the ungodly. (3.) It is a grief to the barium, to see poor souls rejecting their own mercies, and rushing on their ruin. (4.) They who perish eternally will have no blame to cast on God’s mercy, but must confess, that their own obstinacy and hardness of heart procured their destruction.

4. By the proclamation given to the Jews to depart from Babylon, is prefigured the great deliverance of sinner’s souls from the bondage of corruption; which, through the preaching of

the Before Christ 226.

Isaiah 42:18-25

We have here,

1. A general exhortation addressed to the spiritually deaf and blind, whether Jews or Gentiles, to bear and see. For though more was needful in order to divine knowledge, than the more exercise of their natural faculties, yet as they had ears to hear, and eyes to see the word of truth, they were bound to make use of the appointed means. Note, They who willfully turn away their eyes from the truth, and will not use them to examine the scriptures, justly are given up to judicial blindness.

2. A sharp reproof is given to the Jewish people. Who is blind as my servant, or deaf as my messenger that I fear? or as some render it, they to whom I send my messenger? They who had every opportunity of spiritual knowledge, were more criminally ignorant than their Gentile neighbours, and their teachers blind leaders of the blind. Who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the Lord’s servant? the Scribes and Pharisees, who most boasted their high attainments, were most obstinate in rejecting Christ and his gospel. Seeing many things, or pretending to see at least, but thus observeth not the evidences of Christ’s divine mission in his miracles; opening the earth to the preaching of Christ and his apostles, but he feareth not to any saving purpose, but caniled, and rejected the counsel of God against their own souls. Note, (1.) Spiritual blindness is grievously common, even among the professors of religion. (2.) They who have the highest conceit of their own perfection and excellence, are most grievously ignorant both of God, his law, and their own vile hearts. (3.) It is a deplorable case when they, who should be teachers of others, are blind and erroneous themselves. (4.) None usually are so obstinate in prejudice and ignorance as those who, having assumed the character of God’s messengers, count it a dishonour to have it but suggested that they themselves are out of the way. (5.) They who, through ignorance in their ministry, mislead and ruin others’ souls as well as their own, may expect to receive greater damnation.

3. God will be glorified, notwithstanding their obstinacy. The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness sake, he will magnify the law, and make it honourable; either by the execution of just judgment on the rejecters of his truth, or rather this refers to Christ, for whose righteousness sake God is well pleased, and with all who are found in him; since by his obedience unto death, he hath in the highest measure magnified the divine law in their behalf, and restored the honour it had lost by their violations of it.

4. The destruction of the whole people is foretold, because of their rejection of the gospel. They are given up to the Romans to be robbed, spoiled, and feared; dragged from their lurking-places, and imprisoned, without prospect of deliverance or restoration, v. 22. They would not be admonished of this judgment coming upon them, till it was impossible to avert it, v. 23. God’s hand in their ruin was evident, and acknowledged even by Titus, their destroyer, because of their obstinate disobedience, v. 24. Therefore wrath to the uttermost overtook them, and to this day the heavy stroke is still upon them; yet they will not acknowledge the rejection of Jesus as the cause, nor lay it to heart; the will being yet unremoved, and their measure of chastisement not yet full. Note, (1.) Of the many who bear God’s word, few pay it the attention it deserves. (2.) Disregard of God’s warnings is sure to bring down his wrath.

(3.) All I Chapt XLIII.

In the Chapt (3.) All suffering comes ultimately from God’s hand, whatever instruments are employed. (4.) Sin that now provokes God’s anger against the sinner in temporal afflictions, will, if unrepented of, shortly kindle that fire of eternal wrath which never can be quenched.

C H A P. XLIII.

The contents of this chapter are much the same with that of the foregoing, describing the relapse of the Jesus out of their captivity; but looking through and beyond that, is the great work of men’s redemption by Christ, and the grace of the gospel, which, through him, bolivores partake of. Here are, 1. Precious promise made to God’s people in their affliction, ver. 1-7. 2. If discharge is held to his with the conspicuous and conspicuous of God, ver. 8-13. 3. Encouragement given to the people of God to hope that they should agreeable be delivered out of Babylon, as their fathers were out of Egypt, ver. 14-21. 4. The people are reminded of their fists, by which they had pretended God to send them into captivity, in order that they might repent, and feel for pardoning mercy, ver. 22-28.

Isaiah 42:20-25

20. ¶ Assemble yourselves and come: draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: ’they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. 21. Tell ye, and bring them near, yea, let them take counsel together: ‘who hath declared this from ancient time? unto hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and ’there is no God else beside me, a just God and a Saviour, there is none beside me. 22. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. 23. I have sworn by

myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that ‘unto me every knee shall bow, ’every tongue shall swear. 24. Surely, shall one say, ‘In the LORD I have I righteousness and strength: ‘rom to him shall men come, and ‘all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. 25. ‘In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, ‘and shall glory.

The folly of idolaters had before been declared. H.re.

1. God calls his people, the converts from heathenism, to see the vanity of those who justified in the abominable worship of idols, v. 20. and to remonstrate with them against it: they pray unto a god that cannot give them; though all the veracity of idols consisted together, they cannot bring a proof of any one influence wherein their false gods showed the least pretence of future events, for they are no gods; the living Jehovah alone claims this as his prerogative, and before him there is no other: a just God, whose works and works are all righteousness and truth, and a Saviour, able to the attention of black and protect his worshippers. Note, They who by Divine grace have themselves been converted to God, are especially called upon to shew zeal for his glory, in order to the conviction and conviction of others.

2. All nations are called upon to look to Jesus and be saved: by him the everlasting salvation promised in obtained, and through him alone to be received, for there is none else; becoming incarnate, and by an obedience unto death, even the death of the cross, lifted up as the thyself in the wilderness, every perishing sinner may look to him and live: he is God, and therefore he saves to the uttermost; the godly, the weak, the tempted, the disconsolate, have all their fears silenced, and their countenance lightened by the bright beams of grace and mercy that flow from the crucified Jesus.

3. According to his solemn oath, the nations of the redeemed must become subject unto him, and his enemies how before him. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall, both respecting the promise and the prophecy, be assuredly fulfilled, and shall not return void, that unto the every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear; pay their allegiance, and join the worship of him their Redeemer, as will be seen in the day when the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of the Lord and his Christ; and especially in the judgment day, to which the apostles refers this passage, Rom. xiv. 10, 11. Surely, shall one say, triumphing in their interest in the glorious Redeemer, in the Lord, or only in the Lord, have I righteousness and strength; renouncing every thing in themselves, and by faith saying hold of the perfect righteousness and all-sufficient grace of Jesus their Lord, to justify, sanctify, and save them: that to him shall men come, all that are his chosen, and all that are incensed against him, who are either careless transgressors of his law, or proudly reject his righteousness and strength to trust on their own, they shall be ashamed at the vanity of their confidence, and the misery which their iniquities will bring upon them, which the humble believer will rejoice, for in the Lord shall all the seed of Israel, the living members of Christ’s church, be justified from every accusation of sin, the law, and their own consistences, and shall glory, not in themselves, but in the Lord their righteousness; at whose feet their crown is laid, and to whose rich and sovereign grace the whole of their salvation is ascribed.

Isaiah 42:84

1. DUT now, thus faith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel; Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. 2. When thou paffett through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walketh through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3. For I am the LORD thy God, the holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ranfom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4. Since thou waft precious in my fight, thou hath been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5. Fear not, for I am with thee: I will bring thy feed from the earth, and gather thee from the weft. 6. I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back; bring my fons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; 7. Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him, yea, I have made him.